Earth's Evolving Systems: The History of Planet Earth

Earth's Evolving Systems: The History of Planet Earth is intended as an introductory text that examines the evolution of the Earth and its life from a systems point of view. The text covers major topics like the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere, and discusses how these systems interacted with each other and evolved through geologic time.

The author takes care to integrate the current state of our Earth systems with those of the past in an effort to develop students' interests in Earth system in general. It begins by examining the basics of Earth systems, including discussions of sedimentation, evolution, stratigraphy, and plate tectonics. Part Two looks at the beginning of time with the origin of the Earth and discusses its early evolution, through the origin of life and its evolution to multiculluraity. The third section goes on to cover the Paleozoic through the Neogene eras, discussing topics such as tectonics, mountain building, sea level, climate, life, and mass extinctions in each era. The final part moves on to the modern world, discussing the interactions between humans and Earth systems, with an emphasis on the climatic system.

The Layered Earth integrates your Earth Science curriculum with the latest technology to prepare your students for the skills they'll need in the 21st Century. In a dynamic environment, through step-by-step computer explorations, activities and resources, you'll guide your students through a geological journey that will rock their world. View this brief video overview to learn more about The Layered Earth, then watch more helpful videos about various features.

Features & Benefits:

- Presents the Earth as a continuously evolving and dynamic planet whose history consists of a succession of vastly different worlds very much unlike our modern Earth.

- Discusses the scientific method in Chapter 1, emphasizing how historical geology differs from the standard "scientific method" presented as the paradigm of experimental sciences and of all science.

- Bridges traditional historical geology texts by discussing historical information in the context of the interaction and integration of Earth systems through geologic time by using the tectonic (Wilson) cycle as a unifying theme.

- Concentrates on North America but offers a global perspective on Earth systems on processes such as orogenesis, seaways, and ocean circulation, the evolution of life, and mass extinction.

- Discusses rapid climate change and anthropogenic impacts in the context of a continuously evolving Earth whose environments are now being altered by anthropogenic climate change.

- End-of-chapter materials include: general review questions, more challenging "Food for Thought" questions, key terms listing, and a "Sources and Further Readings" section.

- Boxes throughout the text highlight interesting bits of related information, unusual occurrences, or elaborates on material presented in the text.

Table of Contents:

Part 1 Earth Systems: Their Nature and Their Study Chapter 1 Introduction: How Do We Study the Earth’s Systems? Chapter 2 Earth Systems: Processes and Interactions Chapter 3 Sedimentary Rocks, Sedimentary Environments, and Fossils Chapter 4 Evolution and Extinction Chapter 5 Time and Stratigraphy Chapter 6 Plate TectonicsPart 2 The Origin and Early Evolution of Earth’s Systems Chapter 7 An Extraordinary Beginning: The Hadean and Archean Chapter 8 The Origins of Life Chapter 9 The Proterozoic: Life Becomes a Geologic Force Chapter 10 Life’s Big Bang: The Origins of Multicellular AnimalsPart 3 The Phanerozoic: Toward the Modern World Chapter 11 The Early-to-Middle Paleozoic World Chapter 12 The Middle-to-Late Paleozoic World Chapter 13 The Mesozoic Era Chapter 14 The Paleogene Chapter 15 The Neogene: The Iceman ComethPart 4 Humans and the Environment Chapter 16 Rapid Climate Change During the Holocene Chapter 17 Humans and the Earth’s Systems: Past, Present, and Future Chapter 18 Days of Future Past: Science, Society, and the Nature of Nature